Share

Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s controversial knockout victory over Victor Ortiz, who was trying to apologize for a head-butt when Mayweather landed the knockout punch, continues to generate debate.

(Photo: Reuters/Marsh Starks)Floyd Mayweather Jr. of the U.S. stands in the ring before fighting WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, also of the U.S., at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, September 17, 2011.

Floyd Maywather knocked out Victor Ortiz in the fourth round of their welterweight title fight Saturday, in Las Vegas, maintaining his record and winning the WBC welterweight belt in the process.

Boxers and trainers, however, continue to debate over the bout. Skip Bayless and Rob Parker called out Mayweather for his “sucker punch” in ESPN’s First Take.

(Photo: REUTERS/Richard Brian)Floyd Mayweather Jr. (C) of the U.S. knocks out WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, also of the U.S., during their title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada September 17, 2011. Mayweather Jr took the WBC welterweight title from Ortiz with a controversial fourth-round knockout on Saturday that prompted an angry response from the crowd and raised questions about his conduct in the ring.

“It was the ultimate sucker punch. This was cowardly on the part of Floyd,” Bayless said, according to ABS-CBN News.

He added: “Ortiz is watching the referee, and Floyd just took advantage of ‘you must protect yourself at all times’ and the spirit of the rule, he just flat out clocks him.”

For Parker, the referee didn’t see the first punch, “He’s looking away… This is clearly Joe’s fault. He blew this fight.”

After the fight, Mayweather answered questions during a news conference where he defended his actions.

(Photo: REUTERS/Steve Marcus)Floyd Mayweather Jr. of the U.S. answers questions during a news conference following his fight against Victor Ortiz, also of the U.S., at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada September 17, 2011. Mayweather Jr took the WBC welterweight title from Ortiz with a controversial fourth-round knockout on Saturday that prompted an angry response from the crowd and raised questions about his conduct in the ring.

"Things happen. You know, shit happens in the sport of boxing. You live and you learn. Only the strongest survive. Protect yourself at all times. I went out there and done what I had to do," were some of his comments over the fight.